Transvaal Museum
Paul Kruger Street


SOUTH AFRICA

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Transvaal Museum - Invertebrate Research
South Africa

The researchers specializing in Invertebrate research and adding value to the collections include Dr Martin Krüger, Dr Rob toms, Dr Bob Brain and Mr James Harrison.

Dr Krüger’s research is on the systematics of a variety of moth groups, mostly within the Noctuidae: Amphipyrinae and Geometridae: Ennominae. A separate project deals with the complex problems posed by the footman moths (Arctiidae: Lithosiinae), which are well represented in the area. In selecting groups for revision, priority is given to taxa that are rich in endemics within the study area, and biogeography forms an important supporting line of investigation.

Mr Harrison research aims at unravelling the systematics of the neglected and understudied southern African and African Melolonthinae (Scarabaeidae), particularly the Leucopholina. The Leucopholina include many genera whose species are agricultural pests, i.e. whitegrubs and chafers active in agricultural systems. More applied work towards the taxonomy of whitegrub pests in plantation forestry comprises the application of the above adult and larval taxonomy, including molecular diagnostics to match whitegrubs to their conspecific adults. The above research is the focus of Mr Harrison’s Ph.D studies in Entomology as a student of the Department of Zoology and Entomology, and the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) both at the University of Pretoria.

Dr Toms is currently involved with Ethno-biology.He is also involved in research on the cultural uses and importance of insects, focusing on exploring ways in which this information can be communicated to the public. He is also doing research on the systematics of crickets and Longhorn grasshoppers.